Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management at Harvard University

Harvard's name carries weight, but the earnings picture for this technology management program—based on comparable programs nationally—suggests a surprisingly modest return. At an estimated $58,000 in first-year earnings, graduates would be earning nearly $17,000 less than the Massachusetts median for this degree ($75,443), which Bentley University's program actually achieves. The $27,000 debt estimate keeps the ratio manageable at 0.47, but that's cold comfort when peer programs in the state are producing significantly better outcomes.

What makes this particularly puzzling is the disconnect between Harvard's ultra-selective admissions (3% acceptance rate, 1553 average SAT) and these middling estimated returns. Computer-related bachelor's degrees typically command strong salaries, yet similar programs nationally suggest this specific credential won't deliver anything close to what you'd expect from an institution of Harvard's caliber. Whether that's because this isn't a flagship program at Harvard, because graduates pursue paths where early earnings don't reflect long-term trajectory, or because the small sample size is masking better actual outcomes, parents can't know from the available data.

The core issue: you're potentially paying Harvard tuition for outcomes that look pedestrian compared to what's achievable at other Massachusetts schools in this field. Unless you have specific knowledge about this program's unique strengths or your child's particular career goals align with what it offers, the estimated numbers alone don't make a compelling case.